Back from Southern Spain with a bump, a moderate but very cold Northerly wind hit me as I climbed the cliff path early Sunday am. 2 Willow Warblers flitted along the bushes up the path which is usually a good sign that things arrived over night. Sadly the willow count didnt get higher than 6 but a bright male Serin was a good enough highlight. Initially heard calling from an unseen perch somewhere in fan bay it then flew NE and out of sight. Interestingly I had the bird again on another 2 occasions in a similar fashion – heard calling, seen briefly and gone , flew towards Dolphin’s leap and out of sight, fairly standard encounters for here!
30 Siskin, A yellow wagtail over and a female Common Redstart near the coach parking at langdon were the only other notables. 8 Lesser whitethroats were counted singing.
Fast forward to Monday morning and a similar wind direction though not as strong, chilly but better birding conditions, though less Willow Warblers with only one heard singing in Langdon. I accidentally flushed a Short eared Owl out of a hawthorn in Fan bay, which flew about breilfy giving lovely views before flying NE under the cliff top height.
A single Whimbrel flew noisily right over head, just before I realised there were 11 of them right on the cliff edge, they flew out to sea when they saw me.
A yellow wagtail, 2 Wheatears and about 25 Swallows were also noted.
PERDIX BIRDER 